The Sultry Season

The Sultry Season: Milani Black Cherry Lipstick

Milani Black Cherry Lipstick($4.99 for 0.14 oz.) is a blackened berry-red with nearly opaque color–it did not apply quite as nicely as other Milani shades. It looks a little dry, though it didn’t feel that way, and the color seemed to get drawn into my lip lines.

my thoughts on the formula: Milani’s Color Perfect Lipstick is a nice formula that delivers opaque color and are usually creamy, though Black Cherry seemed rather dry and seemed to settle into lip lines. They do have a rather a synthetic/waxy scent, though, which may be too much for those with sensitive sniffers. I typically get three to four hours of wear on average with this formula.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

Product: 24/30

Value: 8/10

Ease of Use: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: It’s not my favorite Milani, just because the texture isn’t the same as other shades. It’s not as creamy and doesn’t look as flattering when worn.

The Sultry Season: Cle de Peau #113 Extra Silky Lipstick

Cle de Peau #113 Extra Silky Lipstick ($52.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a reddened brown berry with gold and ruby micro-shimmer in a semi-opaque color base. It is a really nice shade during fall, because it is vampy enough to be deep and dark but not overpowering. This should look amazing on cool-toned beauties!

my thoughts on the formula: Extra Silky Lipsticks are one of my favorite lipstick formulas, for their lightweight feel, moisturizing properties, and the way colors look on. I average around four hours of wear, sometimes getting five, and with lighter shades, between three and four. I haven’t met a shade that wouldn’t work on a variety of skin tones. I recommend applying less than you think, because it’s easy to over-apply the product here due to the creamy nature of the formula. At this price (and the amount you get), you don’t want to waste a single bit! These are also scent- and taste-free as far as I can tell.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

Product: 30/30

Value: 6/10

Ease of Use: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: If only these had more product in a tube, these would be some killer lipsticks. As is, the formula is amazing, but it’s so easy to use a tube up.

If you can’t tell by the photo, Capricious has been a long-time favorite, and I’ve always found it an infinitely flattering shade. It’s got that pop of natural color that enhances lips but never overwhelms a look. It has a cool-tone edge to it but the play of gold shimmer works well to make it very wearable for both cool and warm undertones.

my thoughts on the formula: MAC Lipsticks are vanilla-scented but taste-free. I typically get four hours of wear, but some of the lighter lustre and glaze finishes tend to disappear by hour three. Amplified cremes and amplified finishes, however, tend to go beyond four. I find the formula comfortable to wear and not drying (but not moisturizing–a couple of the matte and lustre shades can be drying).

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

Product: 28/30

Value: 8/10

Ease of Use: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: Capricious is such a great way to wear plum without being too dark or bold. It is as pretty in springtime as it is in fall. It was one of my first MAC lipsticks and still a favorite.

The Sultry Season: Shiseido Tawny (BR 735) Lipstick

Shiseido Tawny (BR 735) Perfect Rouge Lipstick ($25.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a warmed up caramel brown with a hint of coral. It’s semi-opaque and finishes with a noticeable glossiness. I have always felt that Shiseido’s Perfect Rouge is rather under-appreciated, because it is such a flattering formula.

my thoughts on the formula: It’s moisturizing and applies evenly, while it wears for about four hours before beginning to fade. It is also scent- and taste-free. Perfect Rouge has a really beautiful color range and ranges from semi-opaque to opaque in color. The finish is a semi-gloss with very subtle micro-shimmer.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

Product: 28/30

Value: 8/10

Ease of Use: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: This is a beautiful shade for warmer skin tones; it is a color that works alone or paired with a brighter eye/cheek.

The Sultry Season: NYX Espresso Lipstick

NYX Espresso Lipstick ($4.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted red-toned berry with a creamy feel and semi-glossy finish. The color applies evenly and opaquely with very little product, and it feels comfortable to wear.

my thoughts on the formula: NYX Round Lipsticks are really creamy and generally opaque in color. The texture and shade range are great. However, the scent of them can run from waxy to synthetic sweetness (neither are particularly pleasant)–and sometimes they smell like nothing at all. I typically get two to three hours of wear.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

Product: 27/30

Value: 9/10

Ease of Use: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: This shade works well on both cooler and warmer skin tones, but it is particularly lovely on cool, pale skin.

The Sultry Season: NYX Brown Sugar Lipstick

NYX Brown Sugar Round Lipstick ($4.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a rich bronzy, reddened brown with copper shimmer. It has opaque color coverage with a frosted finish, so it is less creamy than some other NYX Round Lipsticks I’ve tried, but on the plus side, lasts for four hours as compared to my usual two to three.

my thoughts on the formula: NYX Round Lipsticks are really creamy and generally opaque in color. The texture and shade range are great. However, the scent of them can run from waxy to synthetic sweetness (neither are particularly pleasant)–and sometimes they smell like nothing at all. I typically get two to three hours of wear.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

Product: 26/30

Value: 9/10

Ease of Use: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: If you tend to stay away from brown lipsticks for fear of wearing a more dated shade, this copper-shimmered brown is a modern take on a classic look.